Apr 12th - LZ Sally

2nd BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT)
“STRIKE HISTORY”
06 April – 12 April 2014
06 April 1968
1-502 IN had a day of light contact throughout the battalion. Delta Company engaged
10 VC vic. YD4840 resulting in 3 VC KIA.
06 April 1968
Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry was in a major clash with a sizable NVA
unit 35km northwest of Hue in Quang Tri Province.
06 – 08
April 1968
Operation JEB STUART/CARENTAN: At 0705, A/2-502 Vic YD633074 began a
two day long contact with a major size NVA force. Initially, 2 NVA were engaged while
reconning the well-used trail found the previous evening. At 1337H, vic627077 lead
Platoon moving W-SW down a finger came behind an enemy ambush of approximately
20-30 NVA in 2 locations. They engaged the enemy with SA while the enemy returned
fire with AW, SA grenades, and HMG. At 1540H, in the same area, a Medevac chopper
was shot down by enemy rockets while conducting a hoist dust-off for A Co. On the
following day at 0655H vic. YD629076 A Co. received SA fire while conducting a
movement to expand the perimeter. Throughout this day A Co. continued to receive
sniper and AW fire, RPG, and 82mm mortar fire. B Co. departed TAC-CP at 1725H and
moved to reinforce A Co. B Co. during this day it had 7 separate contacts on the trails
leading into A Co. perimeter. B Co. closed with A Co. late that afternoon and formed a
joint perimeter for the night. On 08 April, the two companies expanded the perimeter
and completed the Medevac then moved back to the TAC-CP. Results: 2 US KHA, 30
US WHA, 21 NVA KIA and captured 3 AK-47, 2 SKS.
07 April 1968
D/1-502 IN continued searching the area in vic. YD4864 resulting in 5 VC KIA. The
other units conducted search and clear operations and ambushes with negative contact.
07 April 1991
Iraq accepts United Nations cease-fire conditions and resolutions.
07 April 2011
2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment conducts Transfer of Authority (TOA) with 1st
Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division at FOB Howze-Madad.
08 April 1968
A/1-502 IN found an arms cache while conducting RIF vic. YD5325. They found 3 M1
rifles, 1 SMG, 160 rounds S/A. Company "B" received automatic weapons fire vic.
YD6025, suffering 2 WIA. They returned fire with unknown results. Company "C" (-)
remained at Camp Evans preparing for future operations and conducting training. (1-502
Unit Annual Historical Supplement)
08 April 1970
Operation TEXAS STAR: 2-502 Battalion minus went OPCON to the 2BDE, and A
Company went OPCON to the 3BDE occupying FSB Jack. While operating under
control of 2BDE, the Battalion conducted screening operations throughout the area south
of FSB Arsenal (ZD118014). Contact in the area was light. Upon insertion into the area,
D Company encountered booby traps on an LZ at YC165942, wounding one Soldier.
The booby traps were old, and there was no evidence of any recent enemy activity.
Recon was the first STRIKE Force unit to make enemy contact in the new area. Five
enemy were engaged by a reconnaissance sniper team, resulting in one enemy killed.
ARA was employed as a follow-up. (2-502 Unit History, Vietnam 1970; Approved by
LTC Lloyd N. Cosby, IN Commanding)
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09 April 1968
A/1-502 IN received their log vic. YD5425. Shortly thereafter they moved
approximately 200 meters NE. Early the next morning 50 VC attacked deserted log sight
using long cane poles to flip satchel charges. Company "A" made contact with the
enemy suffering 2 KIA and 1 WIA. Enemy losses were 2 VC KIA. Company B found 9
122mm rockets (complete). (1-502 Unit Annual Historical Supplement)
09 April 1968
An apparent rocket attack of the 1st Air Cav. Division headquarters at Camp Evans was
prevented by MAJ Brad Telshaw, Clovis, New Mexico., an alert FAC pilot attached to
the 2nd Brigade. He directed two air strikes on the target which resulted in many
secondary explosions. A Platoon from C/1-502 IN was helo lifted into the area. They
found nine 122mm rockets elevated on bamboo logs and pointing in the direction of
Camp Evans. (Rendezvous with Destiny; Screaming Eagle Diary; July 1968)
09 April 1970
At first light, B/1/1/2-501 IN was on an ambush assignment a short distance from the rest
of 1st Platoon and the Bravo Company CP in an area approximately 25 miles west of Hue
known as “Re-Up Hill”, coordinates YD362165, when they were surprised and overrun
by a squad of NVA Soldiers throwing Chi-Com hand grenades and firing AK-47 assault
rifles. The attack resulted in one member of the squad immediately killed in action, and
the remaining five members of the squad wounded in action. (PFC Thomas L. Gates of
Cincinnati, Ohio, died from his wounds sixteen years later - on 25 November 1986
confirmed by the Virtual Wall.)
09 April 1970
XXIV Corps (Thua Thien Province)-At 0700 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 101st
Airborne Divisions (Airmobile), engaged an estimated enemy squad while operating in
an area 24 miles WSW of Hue (73 miles WNW of Da Nang). The enemy returned fire
with small arms and automatic weapons fire. The troopers were supported by helicopter
gunships and contact was lost at an unreported time when the remaining enemy
withdrew. Two enemy Soldiers were killed in the action. U.S. casualties were three
killed and five wounded.
09 April 1970
XXIV Corps (Thua Thien Province) – At 1625 an element of the 2nd Brigade, 101st
Airborne Division (Airmobile) engaged an estimated enemy platoon while operating 25
miles WSW of Hue (66 miles NW of Da Nang). Small arms and automatic weapons fire
was exchanged and contact was lost at about 1745 when the enemy withdrew. Enemy
losses are unknown. U.S. casualties were 11 wounded with no fatalities.
09 April 2010
1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, receives orders to deploy to Afghanistan in May
2010 to Kandahar in Regional-Command South.
10 April 1968
PHUOC DIEN: Alpha & Delta Companies 2/501st were sent to verify the reported
presence of two enemy companies entrenched in strong defensive position in the village
of Phuoc Dien. In short time, both companies were pinned down and in heavy contact. It
soon became obvious they would be unable to take the village without suffering heavy
casualties and they would need additional reinforcements.
General Barsanti, the Division Commander, ordered the companies to “stay with the
enemy’ and agreed to send them whatever they needed – which in this case was extra
helicopters to bring in reinforcements. LTC Tallman, the Battalion Commander, moved
Bravo Company into the fray, and by nightfall had succeeded in completely surrounding
the village. American positions were established no more than ten meters apart. LTC
Tallman ordered 100% alert during the night as well as continuous illumination by flare
ships and artillery.
Between 2000 hours that night and 0730 hours the next morning, the trapped NVA made
at least 12 separate attempts to break out of the village. The next morning, 36 NVA
Soldiers were found dead within hand-grenade distance of the American positions. Two
dazed NVA were captured and taken prisoner. At 0800, companies Bravo and Delta
assaulted the village in a coordinated attack that met only moderate resistance. When the
smoke and dust had cleared, the 2/501st had killed 70 NVA and captured 13.
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10 April 1968
A/1-502 IN NDP vic. YD5325 received satchel charges, RPG rounds, and S/A fire.
Negative casualties) They returned fire with unknown results. Company D conducted
security of Phong Dien Bridge and local ambushes. One of these ambushes vic. YD4937,
engaged 4 VC with negative results. Recon killed 3 VC vic. YD 5231. (1-502 Unit
Annual Historical Supplement)
10 April 1968
Operation CARENTAN II: Companies A, B, and D/2/501st Airborne, 2 nd Brigade,
101st Airborne Division encounter an estimated two battalions of the 812th NVA
Regiment near the village of Thon Phuoc Dien 12 miles southeast of Quang Tri.
Casualties: U.S. 7 KIA and 35 WIA; enemy 66 KIA. (Weider History Group; Vietnam
War: The Battle for Vietnam; 40 years today-A Vietnam War Timeline)
10-11 April 1968
2-501 cordons Thon Phuoc Dien, resulting in 70 NVA KIA and 13 PWs and 100 lbs of
rice captured.
10 April 1968
Operation JEB STUART/CARENTAN: At 1015H, C/2-502 vic. YD639098 with the
3-5 Cavalry Platoon on a convoy security mission on Hwy 547, received AW and RPG
from an unknown size enemy force in the tree line on the north side. Engaged the enemy
with SA, AW, Arty, Mortars, fire power from the Calvary Platoon and Light Fire Teams.
Units continued to receive enemy SA and RPG fire and several rounds of mortars of an
unknown size. C Co. with Cav. Plt assaulted and took the tree line and later the enemy
tried a counter attack but was beaten back. Results: 3 US WHA, 9 NVA KIA and
captured: 1 RPG, 1 RPD, 3 AK-47, 2 SKS.
10 April - July 2008
Operation STRIKE SILVER JETS: Elements of 1-320 FAR clear over 40km of road
with EOD in support of 1-502IN, 1-64AR, and 1-75CAV, destroying enemy fighting
positions and clearing the way for 2BCT and ISF to engage Special Groups Criminals. As
a direct result of the battalion’s actions, ISF were able to construct and maintain six new
checkpoints across Shulla and Ghazaliyah, greatly contributing to the security of the AO.
10 April 2011
SGT Jamie Jarboe (A/4-4 CAV) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with small arms fire.
11 April 1968
Two days of fighting by A, B, and D Company’s, 2 nd BN, 501st IN, was conducted as
another village full of NVA was cordoned 10 miles northeast of Hue along the “Street
without Joy”. A sweep of Phong Dien village following a night of constant
bombardment resulted in 66 enemy dead and 26 weapons captured. Meanwhile
paratroopers of A and C Company’s 1st BN 501st IN and A, B, and C Companies of
82nd 1st BN 505th IN ended a week-long search and destroy mission along the Song Bo,
three miles northwest of Hue. Army aviation, artillery, tactical air and the airborne
troopers combined to kill 200 enemy and capture 44 weapons. (Rendezvous with
Destiny; Screaming Eagle Diary; July 1968)
11 April 1968
Operation JEB STUART/CARENTAN: At 1045H, B/2-502 vic. YD614080 spotted 2
NVA in green uniforms moving along Hwy 547. They engaged the enemy with SA, AW,
and M-79 but with negative results. AT 1155H, B Co. heard digging while B Co, (-) was
moving up to contact area they came under mortar fire at 1230H from YD597078.
Counter mortar fire was placed on this grid by artillery and mortars. Also an immediate
airstrike was called, with two flights put in at this location. At 1340H, the platoon from
A/2-5 CAV was dispatched to aid B Co. Contact continued unit 1610H with the enemy in
the tree line firing SA, AW, and RPG’s. At 1530H, B Co. found 2 fresh grave vic.
YD605080, with NVA killed by artillery. Results: 16 US WHA, 3 NVA KEA
11 April 2003
Strike Brigade, on orders from 101st Airborne Division, repositions by air assault and
ground movement from Karbala and west of Al Hillah to Southern Baghdad. By noon,
the Brigade had searched and secured dozens of separate military facilities, most of
which were artillery and air defense artillery. Multiple munitions caches and weapons
(ZSU-23-4, D-30s, T62 tanks, ROLAN ADA systems, and military trucks) were located
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and destroyed. By late afternoon, the Brigade attacked north deeper into Baghdad ahead
of schedule encountering sporadic enemy direct fire, capturing 10 EPWs and destroying
17 truckloads of artillery, mortars, RPG rockets, and other stockpiles of ammunition.
The Battalion continued to operate in Baghdad for 2 weeks, conducting multiple cordon
and search operations within this densely populated area. Over seven areas contaminated
by unexploded ordinance were cleared using friendly demolitions. In addition, the
Soldiers conducted both mounted and dismounted patrols that maintained law and civil
order in the area. 526 FSB FLE moves forward with the Brigade TOC elements to set up
operations at a food processing plant at the southern edge of Baghdad. Over the next two
weeks, the main body of the FSB moved operations to the military airfield in Al
Iskandariyah while the FLE provided full-spectrum logistics support to the Brigade
forces operating in Baghdad.
12 April 1967
Task Force Oregon is formed in the South Vietnam in response to MACV’s need for
reinforcements in I Corps. The task force is stationed at Chu Lai (Quang Tin Province)
and is made up of the following units: 25th Infantry Divisions; 3d Brigade (1-14th IN, 135th IN, 2-35 IN); 101st Airborne Division 1st BDE: 1-327th ABN, 2-327th ABN, 2-502
ABN); 19th Light Infantry Brigade (2-1st IN, 3-21st IN, 4-31st IN); 11th Armored Cavalry
Regiment (2nd SQDN)
12 April 1968
B/1-502 IN had the only contact. They engaged 5 VC vic. YD5830 with negative results.
(1-502 Unit Annual Historical Supplement)
12 April 1968
While investigating digging sounds in action 20 miles southwest of Hue, airborne
infantrymen from B/2-502 IN detected six NVA and took them under fire. Elements of
the 9th Division’s 3rd BN 5th CAV swept the suspected enemy area with the
paratroopers. B Company riflemen engaged the NVA Company, using organic weapons,
and swept over the enemy bunker positions. The NVA force broke contact, leaving 20
dead behind. (Rendezvous with Destiny; Screaming Eagle Diary; July 1968)
12 April 2006
Operation VISION QUEST: D/1-502 conducts a Cordon and knock and successfully
detains the 5 AIF believed to be involved in a catastrophic IED attack.
12 - 24 April 2006
Operation DESERT SCORPION: B/1-502 and SCTS/1-502 conduct multiple Air
Assaults and Search and Attacks to gain intelligence on the AIF responsible for the
downing of an AH-64 aircraft in vicinity of Rushdi Mulla.
12 April 2008
Operation STRIKE HAWKEYE: Strike Brigade disrupts
indirect fire in Kadhimiya Security District in order to prevent
attacks on CF and ISF. Key tasks of this operation include
area reconnaissance to disrupt historical POO sites, ISR
support of NAI’s to prevent IDF attacks and provide early
warning, and coordinate responsive AWT coverage to
interdict IDF. End state of this operation is that IDF and
rocket attacks are disrupted, CF and ISF freedom of maneuver
is sustained, and Shulla and Hurriya are free of SG IDF teams.
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During this week, in the span of 72 years since the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
originated in July 1941 as the 502nd Parachute Battalion, an experimental unit formed to
test the doctrine and tactics of parachute assault, the following awards were awarded to
members of 2BCT and the 502nd IN Regiment.
13 x Silver Star Medal (2 x Posthumously)
14 x Bronze Star Medal with Valor
16 x Army Commendation Medal with Valor
6 x Bronze Star Medal (3 x Posthumously)
93 x Purple Heart (58 x Posthumously)
2 x Non-Hostile Injury or Illness
06 April 1968
SP4 Paul F. Newman Jr. (C/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received from small arms gun fire wounds in the Thua Thien Province, South
Vietnam. Died from wounds on 05 March 1986.
06 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SP4 Frederick E. Love (Pictured), PFC Daniel A. Rocha, PFC
James R. Sanford Jr., PFC Lee A. Watson (Pictured) (C/1-501 IN) earned the Purple
Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their
deaths from small arms gun fire wounds North of Hue, in the Thua Thien Province.
06 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SGT Benito B. Rodriguez (C/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their deaths
from multiple fragmentation wounds North of Hue, in the Thua Thien Province.
06 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SFC Jose Brenes-Escobar, SSG Joseph S. Nitka (Pictured), SSG
Donald L. Wall (Pictured), SGT Lee A. Bowden (Pictured), SP4 Robert E. Cook
(Pictured), PFC Paul P. Davis, PFC Alfred D. Smith Jr. (Pictured) (A/2-501 IN) earned
the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which
resulted in their deaths from small arms gun fire wounds when their unit came under
hostile mortar and small arms fire, 35KM NW of HUE, in the Quang Tri Province, South
Vietnam. (Pictures L-R)
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06 April 1968
PFC Richard M. Bargar (A/2-501 IN) earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death
from gunshot wounds while on an operation when the unit came under hostile mortar
attack and small arms fire.
06 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SGT Ivan R. Febo-Betancourt and PFC Daniel R. Twitty
(Pictured) (A/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and
for wounds received which resulted in their deaths. They received multiple fragmentation
wounds when their unit came under hostile mortar and small arms fire, 35KM NW of
HUE, in the Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.
06 April 1968
PFC James E. Silfee (A/2-501 IN) earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death
from small arms gun fire wounds when his unit came under hostile mortar and small arms
fire, 35KM NW of HUE, in the Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam.
06 April 1968
1SG Alan R. Haugen (B/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from fragmentation wounds
while on a combat operation when hit by fragments from a hostile anti-tank round in the
Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
06 April 1968
SGT Mark O. Charette (B/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from explosive device wounds
when hit by the blast from a hostile booby trap in the Quang Tri Province, South
Vietnam.
06 April 1969
SP5 Robert P. Lyons (Pappa DOC) (HHC/1-501 IN) died from Non-hostile causes as a
ground casualty from a Non-crew helicopter crash over land in the Thua Thien Province,
South Vietnam.
06 April 1970
The following Soldiers: CPT Alvin Hennigan (B/1-502 IN); SP4 Garry L. Kufahl, SP4
Lewis E. Jones, SGT Randy S. Larson, SP4 Lloyd G. Penrose, SGT Charles Reed, SSG
Michael W. Riddle, SP4 Johnnie A. Taylor (C/1-502 IN) earned the Bronze Star Medal
with Valor for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in
the Republic of Vietnam.
06 April 1970
The following Soldiers: SGT Michael J. Bauschett (1-OLC), 2LT Robert A. Clark (1OLC), SP4 Melvin C. Goerge (1-OLC), SP4 August A. Janke III, PFC Stephen F.
Jeannotte, PFC Joseph W. King, PFC Neal H. Lawhorn, PFC Carrol W. Luker, SP4
Emmit L. McGee Jr., PVT Warrn Mills, SGT Charles P. Reed Jr., 2LT Dennis L. Stuart
(C/1-502 IN) earned the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for heroism in the
Republic of Vietnam.
06 April 2006
2LT Mark Ivey (A/1-502 IN) actions in combat earned him the Army Commendation
Medal with Valor and the Purple Heart. While conducting a mounted patrol in southwest
Baghdad, 2LT Ivey’s M1151P vehicle struck a catastrophic pressure plate IED. Despite
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minor injuries to his forehead and right arm and the high risk of secondary IEDs, indirect
fire, and small arms fire, he pulled himself from the crash. 2LT Ivey then began to pull
his men from the wreck and assisted in lifting the remains of the once six ton vehicle in
order to save the life of PFC Standiford who was pinned underneath.
06 April 2006
PFC Alexander R. Foust (A/1-502 IN) actions in combat earned him the Army
Commendation with Valor. While conducting a combat patrol in southwest Baghdad,
one of the platoon’s M1151P vehicles struck a catastrophic pressure plate IED. PFC
Foust showed no regard for his personal safety by running towards the crash site despite
the high risk of secondary IEDs, indirect fire, and small arms fire. With the aid of his
squad members, PFC Foust helped lift the once six ton vehicle in order to save the life of
PFC Standiford who was pinned underneath.
06 April 2006
PFC Andrew Standiford (A/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received while conducting a mounted patrol when his vehicle struck a pressure
plated IED. He received wounds to his right leg.
06 April 2006
SSG Raymond Lee (A/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received as a result of enemy or hostile action.
06 April 2006
SSG Walter Wolfe (A/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received when an IED detonated 2 meters away from SSG Wolfe while
conducting an IED patrol. He suffered a ruptured ear drum during the attack.
06 April 2006
PFC Joseph Parks (A/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received while conducting a mounted IED patrol, a pressure plated IED
detonated under an up-armored M1151P. PFC Parks received wounds to his right elbow
and right leg.
06 April 2008
PFC Shane Penley (2-502 IN), 19, of Sauk Village, Illinois; earned the Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received while at Patrol Base Copper,
Iraq, from wounds sustained while on duty at a guard post.
07 April 1968
SP4 Graham L. Mills (A/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms gunfire
wounds in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
07 April 1969
CPL Thomas J. Vassal (A/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from other explosive device
wounds when the area came under rocket attack by hostile force at NDP site 1KM W-SW
of FSB Tennessee, 10 KM North or A Sap Village, in the Thua Thien Province, South
Vietnam.
08 April 1969
SP4 Dennis L. Roads (A/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from multiple fragmentation
wounds in the Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
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08 April 1969
The following Soldiers: SP4 Tony Palacios (Pictured) and PFC Townser Steele Jr. (A/2501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds
received which resulted in their deaths from small arms gunfire wounds in the Thua
Thien Province, South Vietnam.
08 April 1969
PFC Jimmy R. Westmoreland (A/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from other explosive
device wounds in the Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
08 April 1968
CPT Nathan N. Miller (A/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received when he received shrapnel from an enemy rocket in the Thua Thien
Province, South Vietnam.
08 April 1970
SP4 Daniel F. Whybrew (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received during action in combat against a hostile force in the Republic of
Vietnam. (General Order Number 4492, 22 April 1970)
08 April 2006
SPC Derek Knight (A/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received from enemy or hostile action.
09 April 1967
The following Soldiers: SGT George Tallman, PFC John W. Charlton (HHC/2-502 IN)
and PFC Allen W. Porter (B/2-502 IN) earned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious
Service. These Soldiers also died from wounds sustained when hit by fragments form
friendly grenade which accidentally detonated while drawing supplies for a mission in the
Khanh Duong Province, South Vietnam.
09 April 1968
The following Soldiers: PFC Floyd D. Turnley (A/2-501 IN); PFC John D. Olson (B/1501 IN); SGT William M. Halliburton SP4 Cecil Nix Jr., SP4 William C. McKinstry,
SP4 Stephen L. Havas (C/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received in action. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV; General Order Number 6852)
09 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SGT Roland E. Moore, Ricky G. Inlow (A/1-501 IN); PFC
Douglas G. Thompson (C/1-501 IN); PFC Patrick C. Coughlin (Pictured) (A/1-502 IN)
earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received
which resulted in their deaths from small arms gunfire wounds in the Thua Thien
Province, South Vietnam.
09 April 1968
SGT Joseph R. Paulette (A/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms
gunfire wounds in the Quang Tri, Republic of Vietnam.
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09 April 1968
PFC David F. Wagner (B/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from multiple fragmentation
wounds in the Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
09 April 1969
The following Soldiers 1LT Bruce T. King and SP4 Delmar C. Dennis (E/1-501 IN)
earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received
which resulted in their deaths from multiple fragmentation wounds in the Thua Thien
Province, South Vietnam.
09 April 1970
SP4 Lenard D. Blachly (B/2-501 IN) was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained
in combat in the Republic of Vietnam. (Purple Heart Citation)
09 April 1970
PFC Thomas L. Gates (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received from small arms gunfire wounds in the A Shau Valley, 24 Miles W-SW
of Hue in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. (PFC Gates later died from wounds
on 25 November 1986)
09 April 1970
The following Soldiers: SSG James D. Mace, CPL Herman A. Clay Jr., CPL Leroy
Nelson, CPL Charles G. Selman (Pictured) (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their deaths
from multiple fragmentation wounds from in the A Shau Valley, 24 Miles W-SW of Hue
in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
09 April 1970
SFC John B. Mullis (E/1-501 IN) died from Non-hostile causes (Illness or Disease) as a
ground casualty in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
09 April 2006
PFC Calvin Williams (B/1-75 CAV) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received in the result of enemy or hostile action.
10 April 1968
The following Soldiers: CPL Wayne A. Slankard, PFC James A. Palenik Jr. and SP4
Clyde C. Collins (Pictured) (A/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their deaths from small armed
gunfire wounds during a firefight with elements of the 812th NVA REG vic. Thon Phuoc
Dien, Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
10 April 1968
The following Soldiers: CPL Jonathan Neal and SP4 Alan R. Gault (Pictured) (B/1-501
IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received
which resulted in their deaths from small arms gunfire wounds in the Thua Thien,
Republic of Vietnam.
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10 April 1968
PFC Ronald Davis (A/1-502 IN) earned the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death
from small armed gunfire wounds during a firefight with elements of the 812th NVA
REG vic. Thon Phuoc Dien, Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
10 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SGT Douglas B. Keefauver (A/2-501 IN) (1-OLC); PFC Clayton
Caldwell (B/2-501 IN); PFC Michael E. Saltis (B/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart for
military merit and for wounds received in action during combat operations. (HQ, 101st
ABN DIV; General Order Number 3971)
10 April 1968
PFC Lawrence W. Eller (D/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from burns during a
firefight with elements of the 812th NVA REG vic. Thon Phuoc Dien, Thua Thien,
Republic of Vietnam.
10 April 1968
PFC Bryan T. Mukai (B/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from multiple fragmentation
wounds during a firefight with elements of the 812th NVA REG vic. Thon Phuoc Dien,
Thua Thien, Republic of Vietnam.
10 April 1969
The following Soldiers: CPL Oliver E. Reynolds Jr., SP4 William F. Baggs Jr., SP4
Thomas G. Manderfeld (Pictured) (C/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously)
for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their deaths from multiple
fragmentation wounds in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
10 April 1969
SGT Joseph F. Spinnicchia (C/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms
gunfire wounds in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
10 April 1970
SSG Donald W. Sistrunk (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms
gunfire wounds from an NVA Sniper as he approached a helicopter landing zone in the
Re-Up Hill Area, in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
10 April 1971
SP4 Ralph W. Jones (B/1-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms gunfire
wounds in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
10
11 April 1967
SP4 Kenneth E. James (B/2-502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms gunfire in the
Darlac Province, South Vietnam.
11 April 1968
The following Soldiers: PFC John A. Hoggatt (A/2-501 IN); CPL Dellwyn A. Fitch
(Pictured) and PFC William L. Kinnard (Pictured) (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart
(Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds received which resulted in their deaths
from multiple fragmentation wounds in the Phuoc Dien 10km NE of Hue, Thua Thien
Province, South Vietnam. (Pictured L-R)
11 April 1970
The following Soldiers: SGT Terry L. Heaton, SGT Jeffrey J. Joseph, SP4 Larry L.
Parkhurst, SP4 Jorge L. Perez-Rios, SP4 Alred, D. Rhodus, SP4 Gary E. Cousins, and
PFC Robert D. Wigglesworth (B/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and
for wounds received during action in combat against a hostile force in the Republic of
Vietnam. (Headquarters 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile); General Order Number
4492; 22 April 1970)
11 April 1971
PFC Kenneth E. Mims (B/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military
merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from other explosive device
wounds while on a combat operation when a booby trap detonated 8 KM E-SE of Phu
Loc, in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam.
11 April 2008
SPC Nathaniel G. Zimdars (B/1-64 AR) earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor while
assigned as a gunner during OIF; he demonstrated tremendous leadership and personal
courage.
12 April 1968
The following Soldiers: SP4 Byron N. Jones and PFC Jones E. Tomlinson (Pictured)
(C/1-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds
received which resulted in their deaths from small arms gunfire wounds in the Thuan
Thien Province, South Vietnam.
12 April 1968
The following Soldiers: PFC Michael W. Miller (C/1-501 IN); PFC Donald J. Boaz (B/2502 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for military merit and for wounds
received which resulted in their deaths from multiple fragmentation wounds in the Thuan
Thien Province, South Vietnam.
12 April 1971
SSG John V. Wentworth (A/2-501 IN) earned the Purple Heart (Posthumously) for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death from small arms
gunfire wounds while at an aircraft landing zone when the area came under attack by a
hostile force 4 KM SE of LZ Veghel, in the Thua Hien Province, South Vietnam.
11
12 April 2008
SGT William Allmon (1-64 AR) 25, of Ardmore, Oklahoma; earned the Purple heart for
military merit and for wounds received which resulted in his death when his vehicle
encountered an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.
12 April 2011
SPC Curtis Brunk (A/4-4 CAV) earned the Purple Heart for military merit and for
wounds received when insurgents attacked his dismounted patrol with small arms fire.
STRIKE HISTORY (Citation’s and Awards):
06-07 April 1968
LTC Howard H. Danford (HHC/2-502 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal (1-OLC);
Lieutenant Colonel Danford distinguished himself by gallantry in action in the Republic
of Vietnam on 6 and 7 April 1968, while serving as Battalion commander for the 2nd
Battalion (Airborne) 502nd Infantry. During a search and destroy mission Company A
became heavily engaged with an estimated two companies of North Vietnamese Army
Soldiers lodged in well-concealed bunkers with interlocking fields of fire. Three
casualties were taken in Company A in the initial contact. The company commander
recoiled from the contact in order to set up a perimeter to get out his wounded and to prep
the area with artillery prior to continuing the attack. The perimeter quickly became under
intense sniper fire from the surrounding trees. This fire included automatic weapons and
occasional RPG rockets. Casualties continued to mount up until approximately ten men
were wounded. A Medevac helicopter, on its final approach to the area, received
automatic weapons fire and was shot down just outside the perimeter. A recovery force
reached it and brought back the three wounded crew members. Company A now had
thirteen wounded to care for. The company commander called Lieutenant Colonel
Danford to inform him of the situation. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he
alerted Company B to be prepared to move to assist A Company. Word came in to the
TAC-CP that A Company was continuing to take casualties and Lieutenant Colonel
Danford then ordered Company B to move to A Company’s assistance. He personally
took charge of the relief force and moved with them on the ground. His presence had an
electrifying effect on the troopers on B Company. They increased their alertness and
aggressiveness because they realized, because of his presence, how important their
mission was. They moved out late in the afternoon, and traveled well into the night. At
approximately 1200 hours the following day, contact was made with an estimated squad
of NVA Soldiers in bunkers. Lieutenant Colonel Danford was everywhere in the
resulting fire fight, shouting encouragement and advice to all his men. He exposed
himself to the intense hail of enemy fire with complete disregard for his own personal
safety. B Company assaulted and result was two NVA killed and capturing two
individual weapons. He then reorganized the relief force and continued on to the
beleaguered A Company. At approximately 1500 hours the relief force succeeded in
breaking through the NVA forces to relieve A Company. The A Company commander
was wounded and Lieutenant Colonel Danford assumed command of the element and
immediately initiated sweeps to clear the area, supervised the preparation of an LZ and
personally supervised the evacuation of all the wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Danford’s
presence in the midst of the fire swept battle area calmed the troops and reassured them.
He appeared to be everywhere giving encouragement and advice. Lieutenant Colonel
Danford’s outstanding display of gallantry in action and his devotion to duty are in
keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
12
06 April 1970
1LT Donald A. Bailey (C/1-502
IN) was awarded the Army
Commendation Medal with Valor
for heroism in the Republic of
Vietnam on 6 April 1970.
Lieutenant Bailey distinguished
himself while serving as
commanding officer of Company
C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 502nd
Infantry, at Fire Support Base
Arsenal, Republic of Vietnam.
When the fire base came under an
enemy sapper attack, Lieutenant
Bailey immediately moved to the area of contact. He engaged the insurgents with hand
grenades and led a reaction force against the enemy. Despite hostile grenade fire and
satchel charges, he directed the fire of his men and repulsed the enemy attack. His
actions contributed immeasurably to the successful defense of the fire base. Lieutenant
Bailey’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the
United States Army. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV, General Orders Number 6042, 29 May 1970)
07 April 1969
SSG Kenneth E. Buesing (C/1-501 IN) was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor
for heroism in ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 7
April 1969. Sergeant Buesing distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader in
Company C, 1st Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, during an ambush near Ap Phu Bai
II in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. An element of Company C came in
contact with a squad size element of Viet Cong rice carriers. Quickly gaining fire
superiority, the element of Company C drove the insurgents from the area. Sergeant
Buesing volunteered to accompany his platoon leader in pursuit of the fleeing insurgents.
With utter disregard for his own safety, he subjected himself to the insurgents as he went
forward into the darkness. While traveling along a trail near the ambush site, the platoon
leader spotted a fleeing hostile soldier. Sergeant Buesing flanked the insurgent and killed
him. Sergeant Buesing’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit,
and the United States Army. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV; General Order Number 13190)
08 April 1969
CPT Nathan N. Miller (A/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in
action in the Republic of Vietnam on 6 April 1968. Captain Miller distinguished himself
while serving as Company Commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry.
Company A was engaged in a combat operation just south of the Demilitarized Zone near
Quang Tri city, Republic of Vietnam. Several North Vietnamese Army units had been
detected massing just to the west of Company A moved to the area as a blocking force.
Early in the afternoon, the first platoon, which was on a patrol, came into heavy contact
with the enemy. After a prolonged engagement, the platoon leader was wounded and
unable to give direction to his platoon. With the situation reaching a serious stage,
Captain Miller, who was furnishing security for a fire base with the rest of the company,
organized the company to move and started giving instructions to the platoon sergeant of
the besieged platoon. While hurriedly moving with the company, Captain Miller
continuously directed the first platoon as it attempted to hold out until the rest of the
company arrived. Captain Miller’s understanding of a situation that he could not see, and
his directions, were instrumental in preventing the annihilation of the first platoon. After
reaching the battle area, Captain Miller effectively took charge of the situation and was
able to pull the first platoon back to safety. In doing this, it was necessary that he expose
himself to the enemy fire in order to direct fire on the enemy. In the process, he received
a shrapnel wound from an enemy rocket, but determinedly refused to be evacuated until
all the wounded had been treated. Despite formidable odds, Captain Miller prevented the
destruction of one of his units with incredible insight and courage. Captain Miller’s
exceptional valor was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and
13
reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army. (DA, HQ, 101st
Air Cavalry Division; General Order Number 5188, 29 August 1968)
08 April 1969
SP4 James S. Schmidt (A/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in
action in the Republic of Vietnam on 8 April 1969. Specialist Schmidt distinguished
himself while serving as a medical aidman in the First Platoon of Company A, 2nd
Battalion, 501st Infantry. Company A was on a search and clear operation in the
mountains southeast of Hue, Republic of Vietnam, when the First Platoon came under
intense enemy fire. The platoon immediately began to react and moved to a covered
position. From his secure position, Specialist Schmidt saw a comrade hit by the heavy
fire. Completely disregarding his own safety, he quickly moved through the enemy fire
to try and aid the wounded man. The enemy fire was immediately concentrated on him
as he worked his way toward the man, but he continued. Having to move the last twenty
meters by crawling, he reached the man and was able to give first aid and move him from
his unprotected location. Specialist Schmidt’s personal bravery and devotion to duty
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
09 April 1970
CPL Herman A. Clay Jr. (B/2-501 IN) (Posthumously) was awarded the Silver Star
Medal for gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 April 1970. Private Clay
distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in Company B, 2 nd Battalion
(Airmobile), 501st Infantry, in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. While set up
with his squad in a defensive position on a hill top, Private Clay detected movement to
his front and immediately alerted the rest of his squad. Upon investigation he cited a
North Vietnamese Army Soldier in the brush preparing to fire at his comrades. Private
Clay jumped up into the enemy Soldier’s line of fire, engaged him with rifle fire, and
sacrificed his own life to save the lives of several of his fellow Soldiers. His actions were
an inspiration to his comrades. Private Clay’s personal bravery and devotion to duty
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit
upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
09 April 1970
SP4 John Marks (B/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action
in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 April 1970. Specialist Marks distinguished himself
while serving as a medical aid man in Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 501st
Infantry, during combat action in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. When the
lead element of his unit was overrun by an enemy force, Specialist Marks immediately
volunteered to join a reaction force. After maneuvering to the point of contact, Specialist
Marks braved the intense small arms fire to aid the wounded. Moving through the enemy
barrage, he administered emergency treatment to severely wounded soldiers and directed
his comrades in treating the others. Upon the arrival of medical evacuation helicopters,
Specialist Marks moved outside the defensive perimeter to assist in the extraction of
wounded personnel. His actions were instrumental in saving many lives. Specialist
Marks’ personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions
of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United
States Army.
09 April 1970
SP4 Lenard D. Blachly (B/2-501 IN) was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor (1OLC) for heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on
09 April 1970. SP4 Blachly distinguished himself while serving as a rifleman in
Company B, 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 501st Infantry, in Thua Thien Province, Republic
of Vietnam. Despite severe wounds, he protected five wounded with heavy suppressive
fire on an enemy force of unknown size, permitting them to be evacuated. His personal
bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
(Bronze Star Medal Citation)
14
10 April 1968
1SG Frederick C. Brander
(A/2-501 IN) was awarded
the Silver Star Medal (1OLC) for gallantry in
action in the Republic of
Vietnam on 10 April 1968.
First Sergeant Brander
distinguished himself
while engaged in military
operations against an
armed, hostile force in the
Republic of Vietnam on 10
April 1968, while serving
with Company A, 2nd
Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry. Company A was on a series of search and clear
operation just south of the Demilitarized Zone and succeeded in trapping a North
Vietnamese unit in the village of Phuc Dien, Republic of Vietnam. In order to prevent
the enemy from escaping, the company set up a cordon around the village and stood by as
artillery fire and air strikes raked the area. The task of ferreting out the entrenched
enemy fell to the first platoon as it began a sweep of the enemy infested village. After
advancing a distance of not more than one hundred meters, the lead squad of the platoon
was hit by a heavy volume of automatic weapons fire form a number of enemy positions.
With the forward movement stalled, First Sergeant Brander raced forward from his
position with the company command group. After seeing that the enemy fire was coming
from a small dike directly in front of the platoon, he moved around to the left flank so
that he could come up on the side of the enemy. Completely disregarding his own safety
and defying the enemy fire that was being aimed solely at him, First Sergeant Brander
crawled behind the same dike with the three snipers. Completely surprising the three
enemy Soldiers, First Sergeant Brander immediately opened fire killing them. With
platoon free to advance, First Sergeant Brander jumped up and moved with the platoon as
it continued toward its objective. First Sergeant Brander’s exceptional valor is in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself,
his unit, and the United States Army.
10 April 1968
CPT Cleo C. Hogan Jr. (D1/501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal (1-OLC) for
gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 April 1968. As part of a combat
operation near Quang Tri City, Republic of Vietnam, Captain Hogan led his men in a
combat assault on a suspected enemy position. Upon descending into the landing zone,
the company began receiving hostile mortar fire. Captain Hogan quickly dispersed his
men to lessen the effect of the mortars and then deployed his troops against the enemy
force. He halted the advance one hundred and fifty meters from the wood line that
contained the enemy positions, and requested gas dispensers to harass the enemy while
his company made the attack. As the dispensers were delivered to the company location,
the enemy opened fire with small arms and automatic weapons. Captain Hogan,
completely disregarding the intensity of the fire, moved forward to position the gas
dispensers and then led the attack against the fortified positions. The second platoon
leader’s radio-telephone operator was killed in the heavy fire, causing a lapse in
communications. To maintain control of the attack, Captain Hogan started to move
forward toward the second platoon’s location; as he did so, the enemy directed a large
volume of small arms and rocket fire at him as he raced and crawled across the open rice
paddy. While crawling, he spotted two of the enemy firing from a nearby house. Captain
Hogan crawled to within thirty-five meters of the location and fired a light anti-tank
weapon. One enemy was killed and the other was forced out of the house, where Captain
Hogan shot him with his M-16 rifle. Crawling farther, Captain Hogan spotted other
enemy in bunker and trench lines and decided to move his company back and call in
artillery. After the barrage, an attack was launched to recover the body of the radiooperator, but the hail of enemy fire forced Captain Hogan to again withdraw his
company. Two additional companies were airlifted to the location and the area was
cordoned for the night. The next day, Captain Hogan led his company in an assault on
15
the village, killing sixty of the enemy and capturing eleven. Captain Hogan’s personal
bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
10 April 1968
PSG James A. Parr (A/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver
Star Medal for gallantry in action in the Republic of
Vietnam on 10 April 1968. Platoon Sergeant Parr
distinguished himself while serving with Company A,
2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry. Company A was on a
search and clear operation south of the demilitarized
zone and succeeded in trapping a North Vietnamese unit
in the village of Phuc Dien, Republic of Vietnam. In
order to prevent the enemy from escaping, the company
set up a cordon around the village and stood by as
artillery fire and air strikes were called in on the area.
The task of ferreting out the entrenched enemy fell to the
First Platoon as it began a sweep of the enemy held
village. After advancing a distance of not more than 100
meters, the lead element of the platoon was hit by automatic weapons fire from a number
of sniper positions. The battle was such that it was almost impossible for the men to
continue forward. Knowing that, to stop at that point would be disastrous; Sergeant Parr
left his own safe position and moved forward to rally his men. With complete disregard
for his own safety, Sergeant Parr exposed himself to the intense enemy fire and led his
men on an assault to the edge of the village. His valiant actions greatly aided the platoon
in accomplishing its mission. Platoon Sergeant Parr’s personal bravery and devotion to
duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
10-11 April 1968
SP4 Harry P. Longbottom Jr. (D/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for
gallantry in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 April 1968 through 11 April 1968.
Specialist Longbottom distinguished himself while serving as a point man with Company
D, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry. Company D was conducting a combat
operation in the vicinity of Thon Phuoc Dien, Republic of Vietnam, when Specialist
Longbottom’s platoon became pinned down by a barrage of enemy grenade, automatic
weapons, and machine gun fire. Disregarding his own safety, Specialist Longbottom
advanced in the face of a blistering hail of fire, and by using his M-16 rifle and grenade,
single-handedly killed three North Vietnamese Soldiers. His courage in the face of grave
danger was an inspiration for the other members of his platoon and made it possible for
them to reorganize and press the attack further. He therefore played a great part in
helping his company to accomplish its mission. Throughout the night and the following
morning, the North Vietnamese attempted to break through the friendly forces and again
Specialist Longbottom displayed his skills by killing two more enemy Soldiers with a
burst of fire from his M-16 rifle. As his platoon advanced the next day, Specialist
Longbottom killed one North Vietnamese Soldier within an instant of sighting him and
captured another. Specialist Longbottom’s devotion to duty and extraordinary heroism
over the two day period is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service
and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. (General
Order No. Unknown; 27 October 1968)
10 April 1969
SP4 John J. Colna (C/2-501 IN) was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor for
heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 April
1969. Specialist Colna distinguished himself while serving as a medical aidman in the
Third Platoon of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, on a combat operation in the
A Shau Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The Third Platoon had just reached the crest of a
hill when it came under heavy automatic weapons, small arms, and rocket propelled
grenade fire from an estimated platoon of North Vietnamese Army Soldiers. In the first
moments of contact, many men of the lead elements were wounded and required
immediate first aid. With the element still receiving heavy volume of enemy fire, and
with utter disregard for his own safety, Specialist Colna ran from his rear position to his
16
wounded comrades. Completely ignoring the heavy volume of enemy fire he was
attracting, he continued to administer emergency first aid to the fallen men. He moved
from man to man encouraging them and giving aid, and he remained in his position until
the enemy resistance was overcome and he could personally assist in the evacuation of
the Soldiers. Specialist Colna’s personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his
unit, and the United States Army. (HQ, 101st ABN DIV; General Order Number 8552, 10
July 1969)
10 April 1969
1LT Valentine J. Zapert (E/1-501
IN) was awarded the Bronze Star
Medal with Valor for heroism in
ground combat against a hostile
force in the Republic of Vietnam on
10 April 1969. Lieutenant Zapert
distinguished himself while serving
as a platoon leader in Company E,
1st Battalion, 501st Infantry during
the conduct of a search and clear
mission approximately twelve
kilometers southwest of the village
of Phu Loc, Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. On the cited date, the
Reconnaissance Platoon of Company E observed a platoon size enemy force moving in
its direction. Setting up a hasty ambush, Lieutenant Zapert deployed his men in a
strategic fighting position. In the ensuing battle, with complete disregard for his own
safety, he openly moved through the intense fire to his men as he pointed out targets. His
actions were most instrumental in routing the enemy force and contributed immeasurably
to the death of two enemy Soldiers and the capture of another. Lieutenant Zapert’s
personal bravery and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army.
11 April 1967
SP4 Kenneth James (B/2-502 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal (Posthumously).
Specialist Four James’ element, while moving along a jungle trail which had dense
vegetation on both sides, suddenly began receiving a tremendous volume of automatic
weapons fire from two platoons of well entrenched enemy soldiers. Specialist James
immediately returned fire and deployed his fire team, but the enemy fire was so
suppressive that his men could not maneuver against the entrenched enemy. Having had
two men wounded by an enemy machine gun and realizing the danger his comrades were
in, Specialist James, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, unhesitantly
rushed forward, exposing himself immediately to the intense hostile fire, and charged the
entrenched machine gun position which had his unit pinned down, As specialist James
was conducting his courageous assault on the machine gun position, he was mortally
wounded. Specialist James’ daring charge gave his men the needed inspiration and
courage to sweep forward. In doing so they succeeded in routing the enemy soldiers,
causing them to leave their packs and one machine gun behind, Specialist James’ heroic
action and avid devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
11 April 1967
SSG Ray Archuletta (B/2-502 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in
action while on a search and destroy mission the point element of the First Platoon, B
Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502 nd Infantry, suddenly became engaged in a fire
fight with an estimated enemy squad reinforced with a light machine gun. As the
intensity of the enemy fire increased, Staff Sergeant Archuletta quickly determined the
precarious situation of the point element. With complete disregard for his own personal
safety, Sergeant Archuletta jumped to his feet and charged through the withering enemy
automatic weapons fire to within approximately twenty feet of the enemy machine gun
position and threw a hand grenade into the emplacement, knocking it out. Sergeant
Archuletta continued to advance on the enemy position and captured the enemy
17
automatic weapon that had been abandoned by the wounded enemy soldier. Sergeant
Archuletta quickly returned to his squad and continued to expose himself to the withering
enemy fire while deploying his squad and personally directing their fire. Sergeant
Archuletta on several occasions moved through the tremendous volume of enemy fire and
personally pulled some of his wounded comrades to covered positions. His actions saved
the lives of several of his wounded comrades and enabled the platoon to successfully
assault and overrun the determined enemy force. Sergeant Archuletta’s outstanding
display of gallantry in action and his devotion to duty are within the highest military
tradition and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. (HQ,
I Field Force Vietnam; General Order Number 611; 1 August 1967)
11 April 1968
1SG Frederick C.
Brander (A/2-501 IN)
was awarded the
Bronze Star Medal with
Valor (1-OLC) for
heroism in ground
combat against a hostile
force in the Republic of
Vietnam on 11 April
1968. First Sergeant
Brander distinguished
himself while serving
with Company A, 2nd
Battalion (Airmobile),
501st Infantry.
Company A was
involved in a combat
operation around Phuc Dien, Republic of Vietnam and was able to trap the enemy force
in the village and place a cordon around it. The trapped enemy Soldiers were trying
desperately to break out of the snare and maintain close contact with the friendly troops
so that airstrikes and artillery fire could not be called in. First Sergeant Brander, with
utter disregard for his own personal safety, raced back and forth along the edge of the
line, encouraging his men and giving directions for preventing the enemy’s escape.
Because of the lace of a secondary force, it was necessary that every man know how to
react instantly. As numerous men were wounded, First Sergeant Brander again exposed
himself to the intense automatic weapons fire to treat the men and pull them back from
the area of contact. When it became obvious to him that some of the men would have to
be evacuated, he prepared a medical evacuation landing zone and personally carried a
number of the more seriously wounded to the medical evacuation helicopter. First
Sergeant Brander’s exceptional valor is in keeping with the highest traditions of the
military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States
Army. (HQ, 101st; General Order Number 9432)
11 April 2008
SSG Christopher Hoerschelman, (C/1-64 AR) Earned the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.
SSG Hoerschelman and his B section were conducting a mounted patrol in Hayy Ur, Iraq
in order to disrupt enemy freedom of maneuver throughout the sector. SSG
Hoerschelman’s section was conducting over watch of checkpoint operations on Route
Gold 150 meters West of Route Grizzlies. The sections primary task was to over watch
the traffic circle facing East into Sadr City as Coalition Forces were conducting route
clearance operations from South to North on Route Grizzlies while simultaneously
conducting a Corps level barrier emplacement on Route Gold in the southern portion of
Sadr City. While traveling North on Route Grizzlies, the Route Clearance Team was
struck by an IED. SSG Hoerschelman’s vehicle immediately moved East to the
Company’s limit of advance on Route Gold to provide over watch and security for the
element in contact. While maneuvering his Bradley onto Route Grizzlies to provide
security, his vehicle received small arms fire from the East buildings and from the South
side of Route Grizzlies. During the engagement, SSG Hoerschelman quickly identified
and destroyed two enemy insurgents. After the enemy was neutralized, the Route
18
Clearance Team was able to self recover their vehicle. Moments later, a separate Route
Clearance Team along with a barrier emplacement team began operations from East to
West on Route Gold in Sadr City. The Route Clearance Team was struck by over five
EFPs, engaged by multiple RPG teams and SAF before reaching their objective. As SSG
Hoerschelman began to maneuver his vehicle to provide over watch and suppressive fires
to the East, he was engaged by two RPGs and SAF from the traffic circle at the Route
Gold/Route Grizzlies intersection. His gunner identified the enemy but due to SSG
Hoerschelman’s innate sense of situational awareness, did not engage due to restricted
fire lines and the fact that he knew there were Friendly Forces directly to the East. SSG
Hoerschelman then maneuvered his vehicle to allow his gunner the ability to engage and
destroy the enemy without any chance of fratricide. SSG Hoerschelman proved his
ability to multi-task while engaged on the battlefield by coordinating with the AWT and
positioning the section of Bradley’s to establish fire superiority over the enemy while
leading his vehicle in destroying the enemy RPG teams that had pinned down the barrier
emplacement team. During the contact, his wingman’s 25mm cannon failed and the
vehicle had to retrograde to cover and correct the failure. SSG Hoerschelman held his
position with no flank support in an immensely hostile and forward position to provide
covering fires to the East for the unit in contact. While fighting without a wingman, the
vehicle was left in a vulnerable position with little support. Nevertheless, SSG
Hoerschelman continued to engage and destroy the enemy to the East and North.
Utilizing his vast knowledge of adjacent unit coordination, he walked the AWT onto
hidden enemy positions across Route Grizzlies. As a result of his actions, over 15
insurgents were KIA and the checkpoint was maintained in IA and CF control.
12 April 1968
SGT Thomas G. Pitts (C/1-501 IN) was awarded the
Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action in the
Republic of Vietnam on 12 April 1968. Sergeant
Pitts distinguished himself while serving as a squad
leader with Company C, 1st Battalion (Airborne),
501st Infantry, during an ambush patrol near the
village of Ap Duc Trong, Thua Thien Province,
Republic of Vietnam. The ambush patrol,
consisting of two squads, had just set up its ambush
site when both the company night defensive
position and the ambush patrol came under an
intense barrage of hostile automatic weapons, rocket
propelled grenade, and hand grenade fire. The
initial bursts of fire delivered upon the ambush site
critically wounded the platoon leader and seriously
wounded Sergeant Pitts. Refusing medical treatment for himself, Sergeant Pitts
immediately assumed command of the ambush element and skillfully organized the
defense of the completely encircled position. With utter disregard to his personal safety
and the pain he suffered, he courageously exposed himself to the devastating enemy fire
as he moved from man to man pointing out targets and lending encouragement to his
beleaguered troopers. Withdrawal was impossible without abandoning the many
wounded and the dead. When the hostile force had terminated its attack on the patrol all
but three men had been wounded. At such time that a relief element could be dispatched
it was Sergeant Pitts who directed the element to the patrol’s position. Not until the relief
element leader had reached his location did Sergeant Pitts relinquish his command and
allow himself to receive treatment. Sergeant Pitt’s extraordinarily heroic actions and
indomitable courage were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military Service
and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
12 April 1971
SP4 Robert J. Ivy (A/2-501 IN) was awarded the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action
while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the
Republic of Vietnam. Specialist Four Ivy distinguished himself on 12 April 1971 while
serving as a squad leader during combat operations in Thua Thien Province, Republic of
Vietnam. After being inserted into a landing zone, Specialist Ivy’s squad came under
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intense small arms, rocket propelled grenade and automatic weapons fire. Organizing his
men, he delivered accurate suppressive fire on the well-fortified enemy position.
Observing his platoon leader seriously wounded and lying in an open area, Specialist Ivy
maneuvered through the enemy fire and carried his wounded comrade to a relatively safe
area where he administered emergency first aid. Specialist Ivy assumed the duties of
platoon leader and directed the accurate and devastating suppressive fire on the enemy.
When the enemy had been silenced, he assisted the wounded back to the landing zone
and called for an evacuation helicopter. His actions were instrumental in saving the life
of a fellow soldier. Specialist Four Ivy’s gallantry in action was in keeping with the
highest traditions of the military and military service and reflects great credit upon
himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
*STRIKE HISTORY NOTE:
A major reorganization took place on 3 February 1964, when the 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division was
activated at Fort Campbell, replacing the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 501st Infantry Regiment. The reorganization
from the battle groups to brigades and battalions placed two battalions of the 502 nd in different brigades of the 101st.
The 2nd Battalion was in the 1st Brigade with 1-327th and 2-327th Infantry. Which deployed to Vietnam 1965, in was
most notable commanded by LTC Hank “The Gunfighter” Emerson. The new 2nd Brigade's original organic
battalions were the 1st and 2d Battalions, 501st Infantry, and the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry.
December 1967, 2nd Brigade deployed by C-141 aircraft to the Republic of Vietnam. Over the next five years,
soldiers of the "Ready to Go" Brigade participated in twelve campaigns, compiling a distinguished combat record as
well as an enviable reputation for success in the rehabilitation of a war-torn nation. The President of Vietnam
personally decorated the colors of the Brigade three times, twice with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and once
with the RVN Civic Action Honor Medal. The Brigade redeployed to Fort Campbell in April, 1972.
In 1984, with the reorganization of the Combat Arms Regimental System, the 2nd Brigade became the parent
headquarters for the 1st, 2nd, and 3d Battalions of the 502nd Infantry Regiment. With this reorganization, the
Brigade adopted the regimental motto, "Strike."
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